Coverture /(k?v"?r-t?r; 135)/

Cov·er·ture

Coverture

n.
  1. Covering; shelter; defense; hiding.
    Protected by walls or other like coverture.
    Beatrice, who even now Is couched in the woodbine coverture.
  2. The condition of a woman during marriage, because she is considered under the cover, influence, power, and protection of her husband, and therefore called a feme covert, or femme couverte. (Law)